Electric switch.



A. J. BOWIE, 1n. ELECTRIC swncfl;

APPLICATION FILED DEC-9,1909.

Patented June 19, 1917 3 SHEETSSHEET INVENTOR WITNESSES.

A. J. BOWIE, JR.

ELECIRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION, FILED DEC-9.1909.

Patented June 19, 1917 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FIG. 7,

FIG. 8.

WUIVESSES; IIVVENTOI'? WWW A. J. BOWIE, JR. ELECTRIC SWITCH.

'APPLICATION man 050,9.1909.

1 ,230,372. Patented June 19, 1917.

$SHEETS-SHEET 3.

MII/EIWTOR jun/5885s.-

v 3. F M 4? AUGUSTUS JESSE BOWIE, JR", QF'SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1l,'l$i"i.

Application filed December 9, 1909. Serial No. 532,236.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUoUs'rUs J. BOWIE, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches; and I lowing to 'be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to electric switches.

The object of the invention is to provide a "witch to open the circuit promptly and to destroy the resulting arc, without damage of any nature.

The accompanying drawings explain the switch in detail.

Figure 1. is a plan view.

Fig. 2 is a. vertical section on the line 1, 1, of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 3. is an enlarged detail of an auxiliary contact.

Fig. 4. is an elevation of part of a horn.

Fig. 5. is a cross section of the same.

Fig. 6. is a plan of a form of switch for very severe duty.

Fig. 7. is an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 8. shows diagrammatically a resistance connection.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan of a cap, and contact.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan of the operating crank.

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the same.

Referring to the drawings, the switch is mounted on a suitable supporting frame work, which may consist of poles A, to which are attached supports B; Upon these supports is mounted the switch, which consists of a plurality of single pole switches C. D. E. which may be connected so that the breaks in the circuit are in series or in parallel, or in any other suitableor desirable relation. The several single pole switches constituting the entire switch are similar in construction and therefore a description of one will apply to each, except for a difference hereinafter noted.

Each single pole switch comprises a blade F pivoted with a hinge contact on a cap G,

and engaging a switch clip H, mounted on the opposing cap I. On a rock shaft J is mounted an insulator pin K, carrying the do hereby declare the fola crank U, which operates insulator L, with cap M, which operates the switch blade F by the link N. O is a spring fastened to the blade F, and carries at its outer end an auxiliary contact P, which engages the horn Q and makes the final break of the switch after the blade has left the clip, and prevents burning of the main contacts. On opening the switch, the resulting arc is carried upward between the contact P and the horn. Q, and as thevbladev is moved back of the hornR-gthe arc is transferred from P to the horn R, and then being estab lished between the horns, will rise rapidly due to the magnetic effect of the current and theheat of the arc. Owing to the divergence of the. horns, the arc will be lengthened until it can no longer hold, and the circuit will be broken@ Motion is transmitted to the rock shaft J by the handle S which turns through an angle slightly more than 180, S is connected to the shaft T, carrying the shaft J, through the link V, and the crank W', which latter may be an extension of one of the insulator pins. Thus,'if desired, the shaft, T, can operate the switch by turning always in the same direction without reversing the direction of rotation. In this event, the shaft would be turned through 180 degrees for each operation 0. the switch, the first motion setting the switch in one position and the second motion of 180 degrees setting the switch in reverse position. There is a decided advantage in this methodof operation of the switch. particularly when power operation, such as. for instance, electric operation of the switch, is employed, in which event the direction of rotation of the motor operating the switch does not need to be re versed, but the motor will always operate in the same direction, suitable limit switches being used to cut out the power mechanism at the desired point of the stroke.

' The horns are preferably made of iron, circular in section and hollow, tapering in size so that the upper end is smaller than the lower end. The taper may be made gradually, or in steps. In practice I make the horns of several sizes of iron pipe, one fitting inside the other, the lapping edges being beveled so as to present no sharp edge. This is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The circular horn has important advantages over any other type. There is always a tendency for an arc to han on a shar edge, and to cause burning of the metal. he round horn .i c muin. strength in n one oi' the most impfil'lflilli crmsiderniions to reduce the meclnin'icni stun. b horns due to wind pressure. reuse the supporting insulators and structure come. unduly expensive. t: pered cylindrieul hornis hence of i m on the W minor-omen in practical consl notion, the upper end living Sinnll. as it is subject small sire. and the lower end being made sullizfenl to kliillll the llzllllS due is ll Winn. other inipo; unlmlvnnltnge of ixhe C Ylliil rel horn purticulnrly of lhe ron horn is the mngneli "fleet causing is more el'h lire lhsn n oiher i constrnclf. and this is rery im 'iorcint in the extinguishing of lhe nrc. v With the iron horn here is :1 closed inzigrnclic circuit, which rreully intensifies the blow-out action.

The tapered tubular horn electrical advantages, particularly when mode of iron or steel. The size of the horn is determined in part i the current it mus; curry. The section muss be such not 530 permit of material burning by the l'lence in smaller seciion is desirable oi; the top then at the holiboro since the curren: when t no are is near the upoer end is much less in value than when i the lower end. due to the high resistance. oi the long arc. The tubular seerion has the :nlvantnge that the ensuing heat oi the arc may he carried away from within, well as from without, thus decreasing the danger of over heating. The teperingtuhulsr horn of iron or sleel is especially advnnlsgeons.

The mechanical operation of the switch by the mutation of She shall; T through slightly over 180 has many advantages. The crank ll being jusfi over the den: locks the switch open and closed. mum power due to the toggle notion is able zil'. starting the switch and also for slowing down the momentum, of the moving parts when stopping. and at. the some time the length of stroke is limited in both directions.

The upward motion of the switch lohule is of importance in starting the. are in the proper direction, giving it a direct initial slnrt'upWard.

The switch as shown is a tl'iree pole switch. The outside pairs of horns are bent. away from the center pair to increase the distance between the arcs when distended. This results in a material saving; of. framework as it allows closer spacing of the wires of the switch than would be otherwise lowa olc;

hes ini 'iorhinf;

s, 6 end '7 show a type of switch for i h voltage, and severe duty. Each 3 two sets oi": horn gaps in series,- each being bridged by a knife blade.

A. conductor 9 connects the adjacent caps ii and l-heir hinge contacts. The oper- J cling nieclmnism is somewhat different from the of the other type. The links N, N, are

by pins 2 2, to the. cap 3, mounted *ulnlor i, winch carried by insulator nin o, mounted. lo be free to rotate in henring 6. A crank i, and connecting rod connect. together nllindividual switches forming the rnrire switch. The shaft 9 is rohrleil by n handle 10, and transmits molo lhe switch The romiion of insur fl. and can 3, operates simultaneously witch hlsdes F. F. opening the two ulltuneously. The upper ends of the horns B. R are udiucenl in each other. This has an imporlzml; advantage. in that should the are be so severe es lo reach the top of the horns, the lure ores will unite and form a single are which will suddenly leave the center horns and become so lengthened that they will instantly break the circuit. It is evident that the upper conneciced if desired, the horns being in conem n. the lower end,'bub such connection is not usually desirable.

i l resistance 11 shown diagrammatically in l 8 may be connected across one of the go s between the caps G I of Fig. 6 when the load lo be OFF/nod very large. {En opening the switch the arc across the p inking the resistzmce will open first, the resistance acting so as to withdraw the current from the gap.v The current being then greatly out down, the other gap has a much reduced load to break, which it can then ensily handle. Another important advantage of this method of operation is that lhe eurrent being gradually broken, he possiiiility of rise of pressure in the circuit is I reduced. is sometimes desirable in the case of y high pro ure lines to economize in switch cost and. instead of using a double break switch shown in Figs. (3 and 'i', to make each side of the switch on independently operated single break switch, so as to serve for two switches instead of one. At switch stations on lines this may be done to advantage. Each single break switch will then handle any normal load, but should the load he too severe for one switch to handle, then in such an emergency theother switch can be pulled to open the line, thus acting just like the double switch. In lines this arrangement is substantially the same if arranged to avail itself of the union of the two or more arcs as outlined.

ends of the horns R B" may be i shown, so as to make the total are in case of a union of the arcs as long as' possible. So 'I arrange the horns of the different breaks in series, so as to be in the same vertical plane if there is not lateral divergence; but shbuld the horns diverge laterally as in the Figs. 6 and 7, I arrange the horns in series, so that a horizontal line will cut all horns as shown.

It is understood that a plurality of breaks instead of two breaks may be used in series in each line, and that any part of them may be shunted by different resistances.

Vhile the invention is shown in what I think its preferred form, it may have other applications and be embodied in various structures. It should not be limited to the application or structure shown.

Reference is herein made to my co-pendlng application, Serial No. 297.433, filed January 23rd, 1906 in which I have broadly claimed some of the elements utilized in my present invention, but which I have further improved herein.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. The combination with a switch comprising contacts, of diverging horns adjacent to said contacts, respectively, and ofia lated from ground,. said member comprising main and auxiliary contactors. adapted to engage the said contacts, the auxiliary contactor sliding upwardly on the horn with which the arc is formed in opening the switch.

2. The combination with a switch comprising insulating bases, of contacts mounted on said bases, of diverging horns fixed in position and adjacent to saidcontacts, and of a movable member comprising main and auxiliary contactors, said member being pivoted on one of saidinsulating bases and being adapted to engage the said contacts, the auxiliary contactor sliding upwardly on the horn with which the arc is formed in opening the switch.

3.7The combination with a switch comprising main and auxiliary contacts. of diverging horns adjacent to said main contacts, and of a movable member comprising main auxiliary contactors, said member being adapted to engage the said contacts. one end of said member moving in an upward and lateral direction between said horns on opening the switch, the auxiliary contactor sliding upwardly on the horn with which the arc is formed in opening the switch.

' 4. The combination with a switch comprising main contacts of a movable meme 1 and break the arc, and, 'of a rock shaft for operating said movable member through a. link, and of insulating means mounted on said rock shaft and adapted to operate said link, and of an auxiliary shaft adapted to operate said rock shaft through a crank mounted on said auxiliary shaft and a link connected therewith.

6. The combination with a switch comprising contacts, of a movable member adapted to engage said contacts and of means for operating said member, and of a. rock shaft adapted to operate said member through said means, and of a link for operating said rock shaft, and of an auxiliary shaft and a crank mounted thereon adapted to operate said rock shaft through said link, said auxiliary shaft being adapted to rotate through substantially 180 degrees for each operation of the switch, so that switch may be operated without reversal of motion of said auxiliary shaft.

'- 7. The combination with a switch comprising a plurality of breaks, of a pair of diverging horns at each break, adapted to distend and break the arc, and of permanent electrical connections between some of said horns, the upper ends of said horns. which are permanently connected. being adjacent.

8. The combination with a switch comprising a plurality of breaks in series, of a pair of diverging horns at .each break, adapted to distend and break the arc, and of permanent electrical connections between the proximate horns of adjacent gaps, the upper ends ofsaid proximate horns being adjacent. I

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTI S JESSE BOWIE, JR.

. \Vitnesses:

HENRY BELL TRUETT, .I. M. VVHrrE. 

